Brake-equalizing device



Sept. 25, 1923. 1,468,910

E; G'. LEFEvr-:R

BRAKE EQUALIZING DEVICE Filed Jan@ 9, 1922 s sheets-sheet 1 Q N N k 1, @I ff^ ii N NIL QJ Cll'foz neg Sept 25 i923.

E. G. LEFEVER BRAKE EQUALIZING DEVICE Filed Jan. 9, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 witness @a a@ WMM? Sept. 25 1923.

E. G. LEFEVER BRAKE EQUALIZING DEvIcE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 9, 1922 nvemtoz Cil ?atented Sept. 25, 1923.

BRAKE-EQUALIZXNG DEVICE.

Application tiled January 9, 1922. Serial No. 528,050.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDEN G. Lnrnvnn, a citizen of the United States, and residing at Boyertown, Berks County, State of Penn- Sylvania` have invented certain new and useful improvements in Brake-Equalizing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

rlhe present invention relates to vehicles and more particularly to brake equalizing mechanism.

As is well recognized, it is desirable to apply the brakes to the wheels at the opposite ends of an axle with equal forces, so

. that the braking effect at both Wheels will be alike and thereby eliminate skidding. According to this invention a device is provided so that the brakes at the opposite ends orn an axle are applied with equal forces.

rllhe objects and features of novelty of the invention will be apparent from the description taken in connection with the drawings in which- 1 is a top plan view of a port-ion oii a vehicle having thepresent invention embodied therein;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation takensubstantially on the line 2-2 di Figure 1;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the members shown in Figure 2;

l41 ig. L is a sectional view through the member shown in Figure 8 illustrating the manner of mounting the same;

Fig. j is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modied form or the invention;

Fig. 8 is sectional view 'taken substantially on the line tl-8 oic Figure 5 Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 7--7 ot Figure 8;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the invention as embodied in Well known cars; and

`Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a part or the mechanism shown in Figure 8, certain parts being in section.

l Referring to the drawings and more particularly Figures 1 to a inclusive, a mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention may comprise a rod 10 rotatively carried by the frame of the vehicle. As shown the rod 10 at its ends is mounted in bearings 11 and 12 secured to the frame members 13 and 14 respectively. The rod 10 is adapted to be turned or rotated by the operator of the vehicle. For

this purpose it may be` provided with anarm 15 connected by a link 16 to a lever 17 of the usual brake operating type. rlhe member 10 pivotally carries another member for rotation about an axis eccentric to the 0o rod 10. As shown the rod 10 has a pair of spaced arms 18 and 19 carrying the rod or member 20. For this purpose the rod 2O is hollow and each ofthe arms 18 and 19 at its free end has a spindle disposed within the bore of the rod 20. As shown the free end of the arm 18 is provided with the opening 21 and a spindle 22 has a reduced end 23 disposed in said opening, a nut 24 being screwed on the outside end of the reduced portion so that the arm 18 is clamped between the shoulder 25 on the spindle and the nut 2l. A similar spindle is mounted in the opening 26 in the free end of the arm 19. The total length of the spindles between the arms is less than the length of the member 20. Hence the spindles may be retracted within the member 20 when it is desired to remove the latter.

As shown the pivoted or rotatable member S0 2O is provided with a pair of spaced oppositely projecting arms 27 and 28. The free end of the arm 27 is connected to the brake of one wheel in any suitable manner, as by means ot the link 29 having any suitable B5 mechanism 3G for adjusting its length. lin a like manner the free end or the arm 28 is connected to operate the other brake by means of a link 31 having an .adjust-able device 32.

ln applying the brakes the lever 17 is operated to turn the member 10. This swings the member 2O around the axis of the member 10 thereby pulling on the links 29 and 31 and applying the brakes. As the 95 member 20 is pivotally mounted, the pull transmitted through one arm as 27 must balance the pull transmitted through the opposite arm 28.. Hence the brakes are applied with equal forces.

ln some vehicles no suitable mechanism is provided for adjusting the length of the links or rods operating the brakes. lin Figures 5 to'7 inclusive a form of the invention is illustrated adapted to be employed in such vehicles. this form being provided with means for adjusting the brake applying mechanism. As shown the rod corresponds to the rod 10 of the form previously described. It is pivotally mounted and has 110 the substantially radial parallel arms 118 and 119. Each of these arms adjustably 

